-May 5,2023-
The California High Speed Rail project is under construction across the floodplain near old Tulare Lake in Kings and Tulare Counties and suffering the same flooding problems many of the local farms, livestock owners and ditch companies are experiencing, damaging their infrastructure and generally slowing work.
The good news is the rail alignment – already in various stages of construction – is elevated above the 100-year flood level and dirt embankments are even higher at proposed road over crossings and underpasses. Rail embankments are at least 2-feet higher than the 100-year storm event, say officials. The recent flood flows did not overtop any of the HSR guideways that have been constructed in the area of the floodings in the south valley.
Case in point – earthen rail embankment was recently used to help build levees and raise roadways including a road along Avenue 56 confirms Central Valley Deputy Regional Director Toni Tinoco.
Dirt from the project is being used to raise flood protection embankments along Avenue 56 -south of Corcoran – into Allensworth. HS Rail coordinated with dairy farmers to use high-speed rail property to transport and relocate livestock.The embankment used would have created the ramps up to the overpass that is to be constructed supporting Avenue 56 over the high-speed rail guideway.
The over crossing can wait but the need for higher levees looks to take precedence. More dirt from other sections is being used to build up levees, officials say. It is not clear if dirt from the project can help build-up the Corcoran levee.
The Authority also plans to reopen Angiola Canal in Tulare County, flood some reservoirs on high-speed rail property and provide k-rail to local counties for road closures. Equipment brought into the area to build the rail line is being put to use to prevent more flooding.
In addition, the Authority, contractor Dragados-Flatiron Joint Venture (DFJV) and subcontractor Papich temporarily reopened Whitley Avenue (State Route 137) as one of the City of Corcoran’s evacuation routes until further notice.
Flooding has impacted construction at the Deer Creek Viaduct and Tule River Viaduct due to the heavy flooding and loss of access. The Authority and its contractor are evaluating dewatering options so that construction can recommence at these locations. they say.
Meanwhile in other parts of Kings County, not impacted by flood waters, HSR announced the completion of two new grade separations Wednesday, May 3. The Idaho and Dover Avenue Grade Separations will help improve safety and east-west mobility.
Cooler April slows ‘Big Melt’
Reporting on the latest snowpack numbers DWR comments that despite a brief increase in temperatures in late April, the statewide snowpack overall melted at a slower pace than average over the month of April due to below average temperatures early in the month and increased cloud cover. An average of 12 inches of the snowpack’s snow water equivalent has melted in the past month and it now contains an average of 49.2 inches.Up in the Kaweah watershed, about half the snow built up in Giant Forest at 6000ft has now melted. Mother Nature had mercy on the Tulare Basin dropping just 0.1 inches of new precip in April vs 17.1 inches in March.
Damage reported to Friant Kern Canal project
In the Tule River watershed near Terra Bella, significant flooding damaged construction underway along the middle reach of the Friant-Kern Canal, where contractors are building a new canal pathway. According to the CFB, the site, now dry, was underwater a few weeks ago.
“Things are definitely out of whack just because of all the rain and water that came through here, and the breaching of the banks and all the sand and sediment that built up,” said David Dees, operations supervisor for the Friant Water Authority.
Trees under water
Farm Bureau reports that Richard Matoian, president of American Pistachio Growers estimates that 2,500 acres of pistachios are underwater.
California population decline slows
Hanford & Avenal gain in latest report
Stable births, fewer deaths, and a rebound in foreign immigration slowed California’s recent population decline in 2022, with the state’s population estimated at 38,940,231 people as of January 1, 2023, according to new data released this month by the California Department of Finance.
The 0.35-percent population decline for 2022, roughly 138,400 persons, marks a slowdown compared to the recent decline during the COVID-19 Pandemic.The number compares to about a 208,000 person decline in 2021.
In Kings County, the population is down just under 500 while Avenal and Hanford grew their numbers. Chart shows 2021 numbers followed by 2022.